Chick-fil-A finds a nest in Brookfield

Updated 11:28 pm, Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the state of Connecticut.

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the state of Connecticut. less

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first ... more

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the state of Connecticut. less

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first ... more

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the state of Connecticut. less

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first ... more

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the state of Connecticut. less

The future site of the Chick-fil-A resturant on Federal Road in Brookfield, Conn. Monday, June 9, 2014. The fast food restaurant has over 1,700 locations in the United States, but this will be the first ... more

Construction crews have begun working on a Chick-fil-A restaurant -- the first in Connecticut -- that is expected to open in September on Federal Road in Brookfield.

The fast-food restaurant is part of the chain's expansion plans that include more than 100 new restaurants, in addition to the more than 1,700 already in operation, by the year's end.

Company officials said Tuesday they constantly evaluate potential locations for the restaurants as part of the expansion, and New England represents and area of growth for Chick-fil-A.

"The New England quadrant represents a tremendous opportunity to serve customers and fans, great-tasting, freshly hand-prepared food, all with genuine hospitality," Brenda Morrow, a spokeswoman for the company, said in a statement.

The move into Connecticut, the third state in the nation to legalize gay marriage, may come as a surprise to some considering company executives found themselves in hot water two years ago after Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy expressed publicly his sentiments against gay marriage.

At the time, he said redefining marriage would be "inviting God's judgment on our nation."

The company, one of the fastest growing fast-food operators in the United States, is known for its conservative values. The company has donated in 2010 more than $2 million to organizations that support more traditional and conservative values including the Marriage & Family Foundation and the Family Research Council.

The uproar led to a spate of protests across the country. Cathy's supporters organized a Chick-fil-A appreciation day and shattered sales records.

Jason Bartlett, an openly gay former state legislature who served the Danbury area, said he has mixed feelings about the restaurant opening its first location in the region.

"I remember well the controversy and the homophobic comments that were made," he said.

The former lawmaker said he has heard from friends and acquaintances who "say the chicken is amazing."

"They clearly have a great product, and the new restaurant will provide additional variety to consumers in the area," Bartlett said. "But I have mixed feelings about it. I really want to try the chicken, but whether I'll be spending my dollars there or encourage others to do so is an open question."

The Chick-fil-A is being built on the site that once housed a Burger King. The restaurant has been closed for several years and the site has been vacant ever since.